5 minutes with: Tommy Foster Racing, and information on apprenticeships with Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula One Team
Formula Careers
Helping people find their study paths into Formula 1 and the wider motorsport industry.
Welcome to the first of our series '5 minutes with', where we catch up with people in various roles from all across the motorsport industry.
Today we are delighted to feature Tommy Foster Racing. Tommy is a 20yr old British racing driver currently competing in the Praga Cup UK and the Michelin Le Mans Cup and we spoke to him about how he got to where he is today.
Q: Hi Tommy, please tell us a little bit about yourself and what you do
I am a 20 year old racing driver and in my 13th year of racing. I currently live in Newquay, Cornwall and between races you’ll struggle to find me anywhere else but at the beach!
Q: What are you currently doing this season?
I am competing in 2 different championships this year. One of which is the Praga Cup U.K. with Idola Motorsport and the other being the Michelin Le Mans Cup with RLR Msport.
Q: Tell us how you got started
I first caught an eye for racing when I was on holiday with my parents in Monaco where they had a world championship karting event on. As soon as we got home I had to give it a go. We went to out local rental kart track and it all went from there.
Q: Who inspired you to take this path in life?
No one pushed me towards taking up racing. As a family we have always loved racing, my parents have both been involved in sporting competitions when they were younger and wanted me to do the same. It just so happens that racing was my choice.
Q: What challenges have you faced to get to where you are today?
We’ve had a lot of challenges, myself as a driver and my family as a whole to get me to where I am today. I just keep telling myself if it was easy everyone would be doing it.
Q: Are you involved in anything outside of racing?
When I’m not at the race tracks I am working very closely with RACE Software as a development driver for their software and simulator development.
Q: What’s your biggest achievement so far?
To date my biggest achievement has to be winning my debut race in the Le Mans Cup last year at Barcelona.
Q: What’s the best thing about being a racing driver?
The lifestyle of being a racing driver is awesome. You have to be extremely dedicated to the races and preparation needed. If you work hard at it then it is very rewarding. The celebration parties are usually pretty spectacular as well!
Q: What’s the most exciting experience you’ve had so far?
I was most excited when I was driving around the Algarve Circuit in Portim?o at full speed in the LMP3 car. It really does feel like a roller coaster ride!
Q: Which driver do you admire the most?
I admire what Fernando Alonso has done in his career. He’s not the most celebrated driver but he has tackled everything thrown at him. Obviously being a 2x F1 world champion is incredible but what I really like is how he has tried other forms of motorsport such as the Indy 500 and has actually also won the 24 hours of Le Mans.
领英推荐
Q: Do you have companies that support you?
Finding sponsorship is easily the hardest part about racing. Motorsport sadly is not cheap. We are lucky to have had a lot of support from friends/local businesses around Cornwall but lately we have also partnered up with some very successful companies outside of Cornwall.
Q: If you had to describe being a racing driver in three words, what would they be?
Intense. Different. Fun.
Q: Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?
In the next 5 years I see myself racing in a form of top end racing. Most likely the endurance side. I never like to imagine to much into the future as it’s better to focus on the current day. You also never know what can happen in racing.?
Q: Any advice for anyone who wants to follow your path?
Buckle up for a rocky road. Keep at it no matter what and take every opportunity that you get, as it might be your last.?
Thank you Tommy for giving us a glimpse of life as a racing driver and we wish you the absolute best of luck for the rest of the season and beyond! If you'd like to follow Tommy's journey you can do so across his social media channels:
--------------------------------
Formula Careers releases new opportunities to gain work experience in motorsport
Ready to gain work experience at some of the most exciting and prestigious motorsport events around the UK and globally? Today we have launched our event freelancer roster to give you more opportunities to enhance your CV!
Our client is a market leader and this is a fantastic chance to gain motorsport experience alongside your studies, or whilst looking to cross over into the industry, whatever area of the industry you want to work in. Find out more here: https://formulacareers.com/job/work-experience-in-motorsport-freelance/
--------------------------------
We are offering our newsletter readers a one-time discount on our LinkedIn Profile Review service for motorsport careers. It's not something we normally discount so the code will only be available until the next edition of our newsletter. Find out more here: https://formulacareers.thinkific.com/courses/linkedin-profile-review and use the code events10 at the checkout.
--------------------------------
Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula One Team have released a series of exciting apprenticeship opportunities, and you can find more details and how to apply here: https://formulacareers.com/jobs-in-f1/. The closing date is May 15th, 2022 - good luck!
Wishing you the very best for the week ahead,
Louise & Rachel ??
--------------------------------
Louise and Rachel are a mother and daughter team and the co-founders of the Formula Careers project, helping to support and inspire people on their path to a career in motorsport. With almost 50,000 visitors a month to the website, over 33,000 followers on LinkedIn, and a student support group with over 6,300 students and industry professionals collaborating about motorsport careers, they have huge reach throughout the motorsport industry. For advertising, sponsorship or newsletter enquiries please email: [email protected].